Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus includes a detection portion that detects an earthquake, a plurality of job execution portions that each execute a job, an output portion that outputs information, and a control portion that, upon the detection portion detecting the occurrence of an earthquake, switches a mode of the image forming apparatus to an emergency mode, after a lapse of a prescribed wait time since the switching to the emergency mode, executes a self-diagnosis process for checking whether or not the job execution portions operate properly, and based on a result thereof, makes an output portion output information indicating an executable job and a non-executable job.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-241511 filed onNov. 28, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus that, uponreceiving a notification about an earthquake, makes a transition to aparticular mode.

An image forming apparatus has a printing function. The image formingapparatus also has a communication function for performing datatransmission/reception to/from a computer or a network. It is desirablethat, at the occurrence of an emergency such as an earthquake, a wealthof functions owned by the image forming apparatus be utilized to ensurepeople's safety. Based on this viewpoint, there is known one example ofan image forming apparatus described in the following.

To be specific, there is known an image forming apparatus that receivesan earthquake early warning, acquires in advance safety informationrelated to ensuring safety at the occurrence of an earthquake except fora map showing evacuation routes, stores the safety information thusacquired, and upon an earthquake early warning being received, whilesuspending a process in progress, prints out the safety information thathas been stored. This configuration is intended to provide promptlyinformation necessary to ensure safety at the occurrence of anearthquake by, upon receiving an earthquake early warning, whilesuspending a process in progress, printing out safety information thathas been acquired in advance.

An image forming apparatus may be designed to be capable of detectingthe occurrence of an earthquake by including a sensor that detects avibration, such as a vibration sensor, or receiving an earthquake earlywarning. In a case of the above-described known image forming apparatus,upon detecting the occurrence of an earthquake, it suspends a print joband prints out safety information.

There is, however, a case where, due to an earthquake, a malfunctionoccurs in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus is aprecision machine and thus may malfunction when subjected to an impact.Particularly in an earthquake causing large vibrations, even the imageforming apparatus is shaken largely. As a result, there is a case wherethe image forming apparatus collides against a wall or an objectinstalled in an office, such as a desk, a case where the image formingapparatus falls over, or a case where some object falls on the imageforming apparatus. When a malfunction occurs due to an earthquake, a jobusing a malfunctioning portion becomes non-executable. That is, there isa possibility that, due to a malfunction caused by an earthquake, partof functions of the image forming apparatus become unavailable (part ofjobs become non-executable).

It may not be obvious at a glance that, due to an earthquake, amalfunction has occurred in an image forming apparatus. There is a casewhere, since a malfunctioning portion is unknown, a user attempts tomake the image forming apparatus perform a job using the portion inwhich the malfunction is occurring. Since the malfunction has beenoccurring, however, the job could not be completed, and this situationis detected as the occurrence of an error.

Once such an error is detected, in the image forming apparatus, acertain job is no longer executable until the error is corrected.Moreover, the error continues to be detected until repair of themalfunctioning portion is completed. After the earthquake, a statecontinues where, although a job using a portion in which no malfunctionis occurring still is executable, the entire image forming apparatus isunavailable. There is, therefore, a problem that it should be promptlydetected which function has become unavailable as a result of theoccurrence of an earthquake.

The above-mentioned known image forming apparatus, upon detecting theoccurrence of an earthquake, suspends a print job and prints out safetyinformation. In a case, however, where, due to an earthquake, amalfunction has occurred in a portion in which printing is performed,safety information cannot be printed out, so that this situation isdetected as the occurrence of an error, leading to a possibility that astate continues where the image forming apparatus is unavailable.

SUMMARY

An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure includes a detection portion, a job execution portion, anoutput portion, and a control portion. The detection portion is aportion for detecting the occurrence of an earthquake. As the jobexecution portion, there are a plurality of types of job executionportions that each execute a job. The output portion outputsinformation. The control portion controls the job execution portions,upon the detection portion detecting the occurrence of an earthquake,switches a mode of the image forming apparatus from a normal mode to anemergency mode, after a lapse of a predetermined wait time since theswitching to the emergency mode, executes a self-diagnosis process forchecking whether or not the job execution portions operate properly,based on a result of the self-diagnosis process, determines anexecutable job and a non-executable job, and makes the output portionoutput information indicating the executable job and the non-executablejob.

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the description of an embodiment given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one example of a multi-functional peripheralaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one example of a configuration of themulti-functional peripheral according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing part of the multi-functional peripheralaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a flow of a self-diagnosis process of themulti-functional peripheral according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one example of a check result displayingscreen.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a flow of an individual diagnosis processfor a printing portion according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing one example of a color shift checking chartprinted by the printing portion at the time of the individual diagnosisprocess.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a flow of an individual diagnosis processfor a communication portion according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a flow of an individual diagnosis processfor an image reading portion according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a flow of a process in a normal mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discloses that, in response to the occurrence of anearthquake, a mode of an image forming apparatus is switched to anemergency mode in which the image forming apparatus is made to performself-diagnosis of an available function so that, after the occurrence ofthe earthquake, the available function is promptly identified and madeknown to a user. With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 10, an explanation isgiven of an embodiment by using a multi-functional peripheral 100(corresponding to an image forming apparatus) as an example. Variouscomponents such as a configuration, an arrangement, and so on describedin this embodiment, however, are not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure but are merely used as an illustrative example.

(Schematic Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus)

First, with reference to FIG. 1, a brief explanation is given of themulti-functional peripheral 100 according to the embodiment. As shown inFIG. 1, the multi-functional peripheral 100 has an operation panel 1(shown by a broken line) on its front surface. Furthermore, at an upperportion of the multi-functional peripheral 100, an original documentconveying portion 2 and an image reading portion 3 are provided.Furthermore, inside the multi-functional peripheral 100, a printingportion 4 (a paper feed portion 4 a, a conveying portion 4 b, an imageforming portion 4 c, an intermediate transfer portion 4 d, and a fixingportion 4 e) that performs printing is provided.

The operation panel 1 includes a display portion 11 that displays astatus of the multi-functional peripheral 100, a message, and a settingscreen. Furthermore, with respect to the display portion 11, a touchpanel portion 12 is provided. The touch panel portion 12 accepts aninput operation (a touch) with respect to a screen. The touch panelportion 12 is to detect, on the display portion 11, a position andcoordinates of a pressed portion. Based on an output of the touch panelportion 12, an operated (pressed) button or soft key is recognized.Furthermore, on the operation panel 1, a plurality of hard keys 13 suchas a start key and a numeric keypad also are provided.

The original document conveying portion 2 continually and automaticallyconveys original documents, which have been set, one by one toward afeed-reading contact glass (a reading position, which is not shown). Theimage reading portion 3 reads an original document passing through thefeed-reading contact glass or an original document set on aplace-reading contact glass (not shown) and generates image data.

The paper feed portion 4 a houses a plurality of paper sheets. In anexample shown in FIG. 1, two paper feed cassettes are provided as thepaper feed portion 4 a. When a print job is executed, either one of thepaper feed cassettes feeds out the paper sheets one by one to theconveying portion 4 b. The conveying portion 4 b conveys each of thepaper sheets supplied from the paper feed portion 4 a. Based on theimage data, the image forming portion 4 c forms a toner image. Themulti-functional peripheral 100 of this embodiment is capable of colorprinting. The image forming portion 4 c, therefore, includes an imageforming unit 40Bk that forms a black toner image, an image forming unit40Y that forms an yellow toner image, an image forming unit 40C thatforms a cyan toner image, and an image forming unit 40M that forms amagenta toner image. Furthermore, in the image forming portion 4 c, anexposure device 40L is provided that scans with and exposes to laserlight photosensitive drums included in the image forming units 40Bk to40M, respectively, and forms an electrostatic latent image on each ofthe photosensitive drums.

The intermediate transfer portion 4 d receives a primarily transferredtoner image formed at each of the image forming units 40Bk to 40M andsecondarily transfers the toner image on a paper sheet. The fixingportion 4 e fixes the toner image transferred on the paper sheet. Thepaper sheet on which the toner image has been fixed is ejected onto anejection tray 41.

In the multi-functional peripheral 100 of this embodiment, a pluralityof conveying sensors S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 are provided (see FIG. 3).The conveying sensors S1 and S2 are provided in the vicinity of paperfeed rollers 42 and 43 of the cassettes, respectively. The conveyingsensor S3 is provided on an upstream side of a registration roller pair44 that feeds out a paper sheet so that the paper sheet is aligned witha toner image. The conveying sensor S4 is provided at a position of anentrance port of a fixing device. The conveying sensor S5 is provided ata paper sheet ejection port. The conveying sensors S1 to S5 can beformed of a photosensor. An output level (“High” and “Low”) of each ofthe conveying sensors S1 to S5 varies depending on whether or not theyhave detected the presence of a paper sheet.

(Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus)

Next, based on FIG. 2, an explanation is given of one example of ahardware configuration of the multi-functional peripheral 100 accordingto the embodiment. In the multi-functional peripheral 100, a controlportion 5 is provided. The control portion 5 includes circuits forperforming control and processes, such as a CPU 51 and an imageprocessing portion 52. Based on programs and data stored in a storageportion 6, the CPU 51 performs various types of computation processesand control of various portions included in the image forming apparatus.The image processing portion 52 performs image processing such asconcentration conversion, zooming in and out, and data formatconversion. In accordance with an intended type of printing (the printjob or a copy job) or data communication (a transmission job or areception job), the image processing portion 52 performs imageprocessing with respect to image data. The image data thus subjected tothe image processing is used for the job.

The storage portion 6 is a combination of a volatile storage device suchas a RAM 61 and a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM 62 or an HDD63. The storage portion 6 stores a various types of programs forcontrolling the multi-functional peripheral 100 and various types ofdata such as setting data and image data.

Furthermore, in the multi-functional peripheral 100, an engine controlportion 40 that controls an operation of the printing portion 4 isprovided. When printing such as the print job or the copy job isperformed, the control portion 5 provides the engine control portion 40with data indicating settings related to the printing and an intendedtype of printing. Based on an instruction from the control portion 5,the engine control portion 40 controls operations (paper feeding, papersheet conveyance, toner image formation, fixing, and paper sheetejection) of the portions included in the printing portion 4.

Furthermore, the control portion 5 is connected to the original documentconveying portion 2 and the image reading portion 3 so as to be able tocommunicate therewith. When an original document is read such as in thecopy job or a scan job, the control portion 5 controls respectiveoperations of the original document conveying portion 2 and the imagereading portion 3. Furthermore, the control portion 5 is connected tothe operation panel 2 so as to be able to communicate therewith. Thecontrol portion 5 controls a display of the display portion 11.Furthermore, based on respective outputs of the touch panel portion 12and the hard keys 13, the control portion 5 recognizes intendedsettings.

In addition, a communication portion 7 is provided that includescommunication circuits (hardware) such as a connector, a socket, and achip as well as software. The communication portion 7 communicates witha computer 200 such as a PC or a server via a network or a cable.Furthermore, the communication portion 7 is capable of communicationwith an external facsimile device 300 via a public telephone line or anetwork. When the transmission job is performed, the communicationportion 7 is used. Furthermore, the communication portion 7 may beprovided with a function of receiving radio waves.

(Detection of Occurrence of Earthquake)

Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an explanation is given ofdetection of the occurrence of an earthquake by the multi-functionalperipheral 100. The communication portion 7 externally receives anotification of the occurrence of an earthquake. The notification thusreceived is transmitted to the control portion 5. The control portion 5then recognizes that the earthquake has occurred. It can be set asappropriate what type of notification received by the communicationportion 7 should be dealt with as the occurrence of an earthquake. Whenthe communication portion 7 has received, through broadcasting or aline, an emergency alert related to an earthquake, the control portion 5judges that the earthquake has occurred. An emergency alert related toan earthquake is issued by the government itself or a provider of adistribution service that has received information from the government,such as a mobile phone service provider. In this case, a disasternotification device 400 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is a device that belongs toa distributer of an emergency alert. As described above, based oninformation received by the communication portion 7, the control portion5 can detect and recognize that an earthquake has occurred.

Furthermore, inside the multi-functional peripheral 100, an earthquakedetection sensor such as an acceleration sensor S6 may be provided. In acase where such an earthquake detection sensor is provided, based on anoutput of this sensor, the control portion 5 detects and recognizes thatan earthquake has occurred.

(Flow of Self-Diagnosis Process at Occurrence of Earthquake)

Next, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, an explanation is given of aself-diagnosis process of the multi-functional peripheral 100 accordingto the embodiment. A timing of “Start” in a flow chart in FIG. 4 is apoint in time when, in a state where main power of the multi-functionalperipheral 100 has been turned on by switching on a main power switch(not shown), the control portion 5 has detected and recognized theoccurrence of an earthquake. The multi-functional peripheral 100 has astandby mode in which jobs are maintained in an executable state and apower saving mode in which power consumption is reduced compared withthat in the standby mode. In the power saving mode, the jobs are notimmediately executable. It is possible, however, to continue powersupply to part of the control portion 5 and the communication portion 7.Even in the power saving mode, it is possible to continue power supplyto the communication portion 7 and the part of the control portion 5.Thus, even in the power saving mode, the control portion 5 can detect(recognize) the occurrence of an earthquake.

First, the control portion 5 switches a mode of the multi-functionalperipheral 100 from a normal mode to an emergency mode (Step #1). Thenormal mode will be detailed later (see FIG. 10). After a lapse of apredetermined wait time since detection of the occurrence of anearthquake, as one form of the self-diagnosis process, the controlportion 5 performs a self-restart process (Step #2).

First, the wait time is a time set as appropriate. The wait time is setto be a length of time from the occurrence of an earthquake to a timewhen it is acknowledged that vibrations of the earthquake have subsided.The wait time can be set as a length of time in a range of several tensof seconds to a dozen or so minutes.

The self-restart process is a process in which the control portion 5triggers a reset so as to be restarted. In the multi-functionalperipheral 100, a reset circuit 53 is provided that, after driving ofall components in the control portion 5 has been halted by temporarilycuffing off power being inputted to the control portion 5, restartspower supply to the control portion 5 to reset the control portion 5(see FIG. 3). Upon recognizing the occurrence of an earthquake, thecontrol portion 5 makes the reset circuit 53 reset the control portion 5(control board).

With the control portion 5 thus reset, the control portion 5 starts arestart. In the process of the restart, from the RAM 61 and the HDD 63in the storage portion 6, a startup program 64, control software 65, anda communication program 66 for establishing communication with a portionto be controlled by the control portion 5, such as the operation panel1, the original document conveying portion 2, the image reading portion3, the engine control portion 40 (printing portion 4), or thecommunication portion 7 are read out. The control portion 5 executes theprograms and software thus read out.

Upon switching to the emergency mode, in a particular area in anonvolatile area of the storage portion 6, a fact that the emergencymode has been established is stored. At startup, the control portion 5examines data in the particular area to check whether or not the factthat the emergency mode has been established (an emergency mode flag)has been written. When the emergency mode flag has been written, thecontrol portion 5 recognizes that the current startup is one based onthe self-restart process following a transition to the emergency modeand that the current mode is a post-restart emergency mode. Theemergency mode flag may be deleted when a startup based on theself-restart process has been completed once or when the main power ofthe multi-functional peripheral 100 is turned off. When the fact thatthe emergency mode has been established has not been written, thecontrol portion 5 switches the mode of the multi-functional peripheral100 to the normal mode (performs a startup in the normal mode).

Then, in the process of the restart in the emergency mode, the controlportion 5 recognizes, among the portions to be controlled, a portionwith which communication cannot be established and that thus isuncontrollable (Step #3). In other words, the control portion 5determines, among the portions in the multi-functional peripheral 100, aportion with which communication has been shut off due to a malfunctioncaused by an earthquake.

Subsequently, the control portion 5 diagnoses the uncontrollable portionas a portion that does not operate properly (a portion in which amalfunction has occurred due to an earthquake) (Step #4). Whencommunication with the operation panel 1 cannot be established, thecontrol portion 5 diagnoses the operation panel 1 as a portion that doesnot operate properly. Furthermore, when communication with the originaldocument conveying portion 2 cannot be established, the control portion5 diagnoses the original document conveying portion 2 as a portion thatdoes not operate properly. Furthermore, when communication with theimage reading portion 3 cannot be established, the control portion 5diagnoses the image reading portion 3 as a portion that does not operateproperly. Furthermore, when communication with the engine controlportion 40 (printing portion 4) cannot be established, the controlportion 5 diagnoses the printing portion 4 as a portion that does notoperate properly. Furthermore, when communication with the communicationportion 7 cannot be established, the control portion 5 diagnoses thecommunication portion 7 as a portion that does not operate properly.

Subsequently, with respect to each of the printing portion 4, thecommunication portion 7, and the image reading portion 3, the controlportion 5 performs an individual diagnosis of whether or not each ofthem operates properly (an individual diagnosis process, which will bedetailed later at Step #5). In other words, as one form of theself-diagnosis process, the control portion 5 performs the individualdiagnosis process.

Then, based on a portion that operates properly and a portion that doesnot operate properly, which have been successfully determined by theself-diagnosis process (the self-restart process and the individualdiagnosis process), the control portion 5 determines, among jobsexecutable by the multi-functional peripheral 100, an executable job anda non-executable job (Step #6).

The multi-functional peripheral 100 is capable of performing the printjob (a function that uses the multi-functional peripheral 100 as aprinter) to perform printing based on image data or printing datatransmitted from the computer 200 or the facsimile device 300, the copyjob (a function that uses the multi-functional peripheral 100 as acopier) to perform printing based on image data obtained by reading anoriginal document at the image reading portion 3, a scan transmissionjob (a function that uses the multi-functional peripheral 100 as animage data transmitter) to transmit image data generated by the imageprocessing portion 52 based on reading at the image reading portion 3 tothe computer 200 or the facsimile device 300, and a stored datatransmission job to transmit image data stored in the HDD 63 from thecomputer 200 via the communication portion 7 to the computer 200 or thefacsimile device 300, and so on.

In order to execute the print job, it is necessary that the printingportion 4 perform proper printing and that the communication portion 7be capable of proper communication. Based on this, when it issuccessfully diagnosed that the printing portion 4 and the communicationportion 7 operate properly, the control portion 5 judges that the printjob is executable. On the other hand, when it is diagnosed that eitherthe printing portion 4 or the communication portion 7 does not operateproperly, the control portion 5 judges that the print job isnon-executable.

Furthermore, in order to execute the copy job, it is necessary that theprinting portion 4 perform printing properly and that the image readingportion 3 be able to read an original document properly. Based on this,when it is successfully diagnosed that the printing portion 4 and theimage reading portion 3 operate properly, the control portion 5 judgesthat the copy job is executable. On the other hand, when it is diagnosedthat either the printing portion 4 or the image reading portion 3 doesnot operate properly, the control portion 5 judges that the copy job isnon-executable.

Furthermore, in order to execute the scan transmission job, it isnecessary that the image reading portion 3 be able to read an originaldocument properly and that the communication portion 7 be capable ofproper communication with the computer 200 or the like. Based on this,when it is successfully diagnosed that the image reading portion 3 andthe communication portion 7 operate properly, the control portion 5judges that the scan transmission job is executable. On the other hand,when it is diagnosed that either the image reading portion 3 or thecommunication portion 7 does not operate properly, the control portion 5judges that the scan transmission job is non-executable. It may also bejudged whether or not jobs of types such as the stored data transmissionjob other than the print job, the copy job, and the scan transmissionjob are executable.

Then, the control portion 5 makes an output portion output a result ofdetermining an executable job and a non-executable job based on theself-diagnosis process (Step #7). The output portion is composed of theprinting portion 4, the communication portion 7, and the operation panel1. By using a portion that operates properly among the printing portion4, the communication portion 7, and the operation panel 1, thedetermination result by the control portion 5 is outputted. In a casewhere there are a plurality of portions that operate properly among theprinting portion 4, the communication portion 7, and the operation panel1, the control portion 5 may make any one of them output thedetermination result or make the plurality of portions output thedetermination result.

FIG. 5 shows one example of a case where a result of judging whether ornot the print job, the copy job, or the scan transmission job isexecutable is outputted to the display portion 11 of the operation panel1. In the example in FIG. 5, it is shown that, while the printingportion 4 does not operate properly, and hence the print job and thecopy job are non-executable, the communication portion 7 and the imagereading portion 3 operate properly, and thus the scan transmission jobis executable. Furthermore, when making the printing portion 4 outputthe determination result, the control portion 5 instructs the enginecontrol portion 40 to make the printing portion 4 print informationindicating the determination result. Furthermore, in a case where thedetermination result is outputted through communication, the controlportion 5 makes the communication portion 7 transmit data indicating thedetermination result toward a predetermined communication partner.

(Individual Diagnosis Process for Printing Portion 4)

Next, with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, anexplanation is given of an individual diagnosis process for the printingportion 4 at Step #5 in the flow chart in FIG. 4.

A timing of “Start” in FIG. 6 is after, with a transition made to theemergency mode, the control portion 5 has executed the self-restartprocess and a restart of the control portion 5 has been completed.Furthermore, this timing represents a state where, by the self-restartprocess, the control portion 5 has successfully establishedcommunication with the engine control portion 40. When, due to theoccurrence of a malfunction, communication with the engine controlportion 40 has not been successfully established by the self-restartprocess, it is impossible to operate the engine control portion 40 andthe printing portion 4 properly, in which case this flow chart does nothave to be executed.

First, the control portion 5 reads out, from the storing portion 6,predetermined image data to be used for the individual diagnosis processfor the printing portion 4 (Step #11). As the predetermined image data,shift checking image data 67 is used. The shift checking image data 67is used to print a chart 8 for checking a positional shift (color shift)of each of toner images of different colors superimposed on each other.

The control portion 5 instructs the printing portion 4 (engine controlportion 40) to start printing of the charts 8 based on the shiftchecking image data 67 (Step #12). Here, with reference to FIG. 7, anexplanation is given of the chart 8 according to the embodiment. Whilein this explanation, with respect to black as a reference color, apositional shift amount of a toner image of each of other colors(yellow, cyan, and magenta) is checked, as the reference color, anyother color than black also may be used.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control portion 5 makes the printing portion 4(engine control portion 40) print the charts 8 including an yellowchecking image 8Y for grasping a positional shift amount between yellowand black, a cyan checking image 8C for grasping a positional shiftamount between cyan and black, and a magenta checking image 8M forgrasping a positional shift amount between magenta and black. While anexample is shown in which, on a paper sheet, a single chart 8 is formedfor each color, two or more charts 8 may be formed for each color.

The checking images for the different colors are designed similarly. Adetailed explanation of the charts 8, therefore, is given by using anenlarged version of the yellow checking image 8Y shown in FIG. 7. Eachof the charts 8 is formed by arranging, in a sub-scanning direction, aplurality (in this example, 19) of combinations of a black line (anupper side line) extending in a main scanning direction and a lower sideline of any other color (in this case, yellow) extending in the mainscanning direction. Furthermore, the combinations are numbered.

In the chart 8, among the combinations thus arranged, those (Number 9 toNumber 1) on a left side with respect to a center (Number 10) arearranged so that a spacing between adjacent ones of yellow lines issystematically increased by a constant increment toward the left side.For example, a spacing between the yellow lines of Number 1 and Number 2is wider than that between the yellow lines of Number 9 and Number 10.On the other hand, those (Number 11 to Number 19) on a right side withrespect to the center are arranged so that a spacing between adjacentones of the yellow lines is systematically increased by a constantincrement toward the right side. For example, a spacing between theyellow lines of Number 19 and Number 18 is wider than that between theyellow lines of Number 10 and Number 11. When there is no positionalshift, the black line and the yellow line in the combination of Number10 are connected to each other in alignment. The combination of thelines of Number 10 is used as a reference combination.

When there is a positional shift between toner images superimposed oneach other in the sub-scanning direction, in one of the combinationsother than the combination at the center (Number 10), the black line andthe yellow line are connected to each other in alignment. In this case,a user or a service man inputs, on the operation panel 1, a position ofthe one of the combinations that achieves the most precise alignmentbetween the black line and the yellow line. This allows the controlportion 5 to grasp a current positional shift amount of each of thedifferent colors with respect to black.

Then, based on an output of each of the conveying sensors S1 to S5, thecontrol portion 5 checks whether or not a paper sheet has been conveyedwithout paper jamming and then ejected onto the ejection tray 41(outside of the apparatus) (Step #13). Each of the conveying sensors S1to S5 is installed at a fixed position. Thus, a distance from a leadingposition of a paper sheet being fed and the position of each of theconveying sensors S1 to S5 also is fixed. Furthermore, a speed at whicha paper sheet is conveyed also is set depending on specifications of themulti-functional peripheral 100. From the start of feeding a paper sheetfrom the paper feed portion 4 a, with respect to each of the conveyingsensors S1 to S5, a time frame in which paper sheet arrival (a papersheet is present) is to be detected and a time frame in which papersheet passing (a paper sheet is absent) is to be detected are stored inthe storage portion 6 as jam detection data. Based on an output of eachof the conveying sensors S1 to S5 and the jam detection data, thecontrol portion 5 detects a paper sheet jam (paper jamming). To bespecific, with respect to each of the conveying sensors S1 to S5, whenit cannot be detected that “a paper sheet is present” in the time framein which paper sheet arrival is to be detected, the control portion 5recognizes that a jam error has occurred. Furthermore, with respect toeach of the conveying sensors S1 to S5, when it cannot be detected that“a paper sheet is absent” in the time frame in which paper sheet passingis to be detected, the control portion 5 recognizes that a jam error hasoccurred.

When a paper sheet is ejected to the outside of the apparatus withoutpaper jamming (Yes at Step #13), the control portion 5 judges that theprinting portion 4 operates properly (Step #14). On the other hand, whena paper sheet jam has occurred (No at Step #13), the control portion 5judges that the printing portion 4 does not operate properly (Step #15).Step #14 and Step #15 complete the individual diagnosis process for theprinting portion 4 (End). When, by the individual diagnosis process, itis diagnosed that the printing portion 4 does not operate properly, thecontrol portion 5 judges that the print job and the copy job arenon-executable.

When the charts 8 are printed, a positional shift correction inputscreen (not shown) may be displayed on the operation panel 1. To bespecific, on the positional shift correction input screen, with respectto each of the different colors (yellow, cyan, and magenta), theoperation panel 1 accepts an input of a number of one of thecombinations having the least shift from the black line. With thisnumber inputted, with respect to each of the different colors, thecontrol portion 5 can recognize a positional shift amount between and ashift direction on toner images superimposed on each other. In thestorage portion 6, a table is stored that correlates the number selectedwith the positional shift amount and the shift direction. Based on thetable and the number inputted, the control portion 5 recognizes thepositional shift amount and the shift direction.

Then, the control portion 5 makes a correction to shift, in the unit ofa line, a writing timing for writing a leading line on a photosensitivedrum 41 so that a shift amount is zero or a minimum. To be specific, thecontrol portion 5 makes an adjustment to shift an exposure startingtiming for exposing each page by semiconductor lasers of the differentcolors of the exposure device 40. By this configuration, even when, dueto an impact or the like caused by an earthquake, a position of a tonerimage of any of the different colors is shifted from an appropriateposition, a correction (adjustment) can be made immediately after theoccurrence of the earthquake.

(Individual Diagnosis Process for Communication Portion 7)

Next, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 8, an explanation is given of anindividual diagnosis process for the communication portion 7 at Step #5in the flow chart in FIG. 4.

A timing of “Start” in FIG. 8 is after, with a transition made to theemergency mode, the control portion 5 has executed the self-restartprocess and a restart of the control portion 5 has been completed.Furthermore, this timing represents a state where, by the self-restartprocess, the control portion 5 has successfully establishedcommunication (signal exchange) with the communication portion 7. Whencommunication between the control portion 5 and the communicationportion 7 has not been successfully established by the self-restartprocess, it is impossible for the control portion 5 to operate thecommunication portion 7 properly, in which case this flow chart does nothave to be executed.

First, the control portion 5 prepares test data to be transmitted to apredetermined communication partner (Step #21). The test data is datafor checking whether or not the communication portion 7 is capable oftransmission and there is no particular limitation thereto. As the testdata, a model number of the multi-functional peripheral 100, a serialnumber thereof, or a character string indicating that a transmission ismade as a test of the individual diagnosis process can be used.

Then, the control portion 5 makes the communication portion 7 transmitthe test data toward the predetermined communication partner (Step #22).The predetermined communication partner can be set as appropriate. Forexample, a server installed on an local network in a company can be setas the predetermined communication partner. The number of predeterminedcommunication partners is not limited to one, and a plurality ofpredetermined communication partners may be set. Furthermore, there isno limitation to network communication with the computer 200, and it maybe checked whether or not facsimile communication is enabled. Forexample, the test data may be transmitted to the facsimile device 300installed in a company as the communication partner.

The control portion 5 checks whether or not the test data has beensuccessfully transmitted to the communication partner without an error(Step #23). When a time has elapsed without the communication portion 7receiving a response to its call to the communication partner to cause atime-out, the control portion 5 recognizes that a communication errorhas occurred. Furthermore, when, after instructing the communicationportion 7 to start communication, the control portion 5 has not receiveda report from the communication portion 7 that the data has beentransmitted within a set period of time, the control portion 5recognizes that a communication error has occurred. On the other hand,when there has been a response from the communication partner to a callof the communication portion 7 and from the communication partner, aresponse that data reception has been completed has been received, thecontrol portion 5 judges that communication has been successfullyachieved without an error.

When communication has been successfully achieved without an error (Yesat Step #23), the control portion 5 judges that the communicationportion 7 operates properly (Step #24). On the other hand, when an errorhas occurred in communication (No at Step #23), the control portion 5judges that the communication portion 7 does not operate properly (Step#25). Step #24 and Step #25 complete the individual diagnosis processfor the communication portion 7 (End). When, by the individual diagnosisprocess, it is diagnosed that the communication portion 7 does notoperate properly, the control portion 5 judges that the print job andthe scan transmission job are non-executable.

(Individual Diagnosis Process for Image Reading Portion 3)

Next, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 9, an explanation is given of anindividual diagnosis process for the image reading portion 3 at Step #5in the flow chart in FIG. 4.

A timing of “Start” in FIG. 9 is after, with a transition made to theemergency mode, the control portion 5 has executed the self-restartprocess and a restart of the control portion 5 has been completed.Furthermore, this timing represents a state where, by the self-restartprocess, the control portion 5 has successfully establishedcommunication (signal exchange) with the image reading portion 3. Whencommunication between the control portion 5 and the image readingportion 3 has not been successfully established by the self-restartprocess, it is impossible for the control portion 5 to operate the imagereading portion 3 properly, in which case this flow chart does not haveto be executed.

The control portion 5 instructs the image reading portion 3 to read awhite reference plate 31 (see FIG. 3) provided in the image readingportion 3 (Step #31). The white reference plate 31 is a plate forobtaining a white reference (pure white) for a shading correction and isprovided at a prescribed position in the image reading portion 3.

Under this instruction, the image reading portion 3 performs anoperation of reading the white reference plate 31 (Step #32). To bespecific, by using a moving mechanism (not shown) including a motor, awire, and a pulley, the image reading portion 3 moves a lamp 32 to aposition at which the white reference plate 31 is to be read andperforms the reading. The lamp 32 (see FIG. 3) and an image sensor 33(see FIG. 3) of the image reading portion 3 operate. An analog output ofthe image sensor 33 is converted to digital form by an A/D conversionportion 34 (see FIG. 3). A configuration also may be adopted in whichreading of the white reference plate 31 is performed plural times, andan average of values of pixels is set as a pixel value of the pixels.

When, as a result of an earthquake, no malfunction has occurred in theimage reading portion 3, image data of lines having a pixel value of abright color (white) alone is obtained. On the other hand, when amalfunction has occurred in the image reading portion 3, such as thatthe lamp 32 does not light up, that the image sensor 33 ismalfunctioning, or that a position of the lamp 32 is not appropriate,image data of lines of white (a bright color alone) cannot be obtained.Based on this, when image data obtained by reading the white referenceplate 31 includes a pixel having a pixel value of a color darker(deeper) than a threshold value, it is acknowledged that, due to anearthquake, a malfunction has occurred in the image reading portion 3.

The control portion 5, therefore, checks whether or not all pixels ofthe image data of lines obtained by the operation of reading the whitereference plate 31 have a pixel value of a color brighter than thethreshold value (Step #33). When all the pixels of the image data of thewhite reference plate 31 have a pixel value of a color brighter than thethreshold value (Yes at Step #33), the control portion 5 diagnoses thatthe image reading portion 3 operates properly (Step #34). On the otherhand, when the image data of lines obtained by the operation of readingthe white reference plate 31 includes one or more pixels of the samecolor as the threshold value or a color deeper than the threshold value(No at Step #33), the control portion 5 diagnoses that the image readingportion 3 does not operate properly (Step #35). Step #34 and Step #35complete the individual diagnosis process for the image reading portion3 (End). When, by the individual diagnosis process, it is diagnosed thatthe image reading portion 3 does not operate properly, the controlportion 5 judges that the scan transmission job and the copy job arenon-executable.

(Order of Execution of Individual Diagnosis Processes)

The foregoing description has explained the individual diagnosisprocesses for the printing portion 4, the communication portion 7, andthe image reading portion 3. There is no particular limitation on anorder in which the respective individual diagnosis processes areexecuted, and the order can be set as appropriate. Or alternatively, inconsideration of a possibility that these portions are used in the orderof priority after the occurrence of an earthquake, the individualdiagnosis processes may be executed in the order of the individualdiagnosis process for the printing portion 4→the individual diagnosisprocess for the communication portion 7→the individual diagnosis processfor the image reading portion 3.

(Normal Mode)

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an explanation is given of an operationperformed at the occurrence of an error in the normal mode. A timing of“Start” in FIG. 10 is a point in time when, in the normal mode, thecontrol portion 5 has detected the occurrence of an error. In a similarmanner to the individual diagnosis process, the control portion 5detects the occurrence of an error. When paper sheet jamming hasoccurred, the control portion 5 detects the occurrence of an error inthe printing portion 4. Furthermore, when the communication portion 7 isnot capable of proper data communication, the control portion 5 detectsthe occurrence of an error in the communication portion 7. Furthermore,when data obtained by reading the white reference plate 31 includes apixel having a pixel value of the same color as the threshold value or acolor deeper than the threshold value, the control portion 5 detects theoccurrence of an error in the image reading portion 3.

Furthermore, in a similar manner to the self-restart process, when, atstart-up, communication between the control portion 5 and the variousportions included in the multi-functional peripheral 100 such as theoperation panel 1, the original document conveying portion 2, the imagereading portion 3, the engine control portion 40 (printing portion 4),and the communication portion 7 cannot be established, the controlportion 5 detects the occurrence of a communication error with thevarious portions.

Upon detecting the occurrence of an error, the control portion 5 haltsall of jobs in progress, if any (Step #41). For example, at theoccurrence of a paper sheet jam, continued paper sheet conveyance mayend up aggravating the degree of paper jamming, making it difficult toremove a stuck paper sheet or exerting a large force on a member on aconveying path to cause damage thereto. For this reason, upon detectingthe occurrence of an error in the normal mode, the control portion 5halts all of jobs in progress.

Subsequently, the control portion 5 makes the display portion 11 of theoperation panel 1 display a message that an error has occurred (Step#42, Output of message that error has occurred). At this time, thecontrol portion 5 may make the display portion 11 display, together withthe message that an error has occurred, what type of error has occurred.

The control portion 5 checks whether or not the error that has occurredhas been resolved (Step #43). For example, in a case where a user, afterworking to resolve the error, enters on the operation panel 1 an inputthat the error has been resolved, the control portion 5 recognizes thatthe error that has occurred has been resolved.

While the error has not been resolved yet (No at Step #43→Step#44→Return to Step #43), the control portion 5 maintains a state of notperforming any job (Step #44). On the other hand, when the error hasbeen resolved, this flow is completed (End). Then, until a new error isdetected, in accordance with an instruction to execute a job inputted tothe multi-functional peripheral 100, the control portion 5 makes any ofthe various portions in the multi-functional peripheral 100 execute thejob.

The image forming apparatus (multi-functional peripheral 100) accordingto the embodiment includes a detection portion (communication portion 7)for detecting the occurrence of an earthquake, a plurality of jobexecution portions (the original document conveying portion 2, the imagereading portion 3, the operation panel 1, the printing portion 4, andthe communication portion 7) that each execute a job, an output portion(the display portion 11, the printing portion 4, and the communicationportion 7) that outputs information, and the control portion 5 thatcontrols the job execution portions, upon the detection portiondetecting the occurrence of an earthquake, switches a mode of the imageforming apparatus (multi-functional peripheral 100) from a normal modeto an emergency mode, after a lapse of a predetermined wait time sincethe switching to the emergency mode, executes a self-diagnosis processfor checking whether or not the job execution portions operate properly,based on a result of the self-diagnosis process, determines anexecutable job and a non-executable job, and makes the output portionoutput information indicating the executable job and the non-executablejob.

Whether or not, due to the occurrence of an earthquake, a malfunctionoccurs in the image forming apparatus (multi-functional peripheral 100)and in which portion such a malfunction occurs depend on a size of theimage forming apparatus and a place at which the image forming apparatusis installed. The control portion 5, therefore, performs a diagnosis onwhether or not each of the job execution portions (the original documentconveying portion 2, the image reading portion 3, the operation panel 1,the printing portion 4, and the communication portion 7) included in theimage forming apparatus operate properly. This diagnosis identifieswhich function among functions of the image forming apparatus isavailable and which function among them is unavailable. Then, a resultof the diagnosis is made known to a user. Thus, the user can recognizeeasily and promptly an available function among the functions of theimage forming apparatus.

It is prevented to execute a job of a function that is made unavailabledue to a malfunction caused by an earthquake. Furthermore, it is madepossible to execute, even after the occurrence of an earthquake, afunction that is still alive (a properly executable job) ascircumstances demand. Furthermore, since a result of the self-diagnosisprocess is outputted, a person in charge of maintenance is saved thetrouble of locating a malfunctioning area. That is, the result of theself-diagnosis process can be utilized for repair and maintenance of theimage forming apparatus. As a result, repair and maintenance can becompleted promptly.

Furthermore, in the normal mode, upon determining a portion that doesnot operate properly among the plurality of job execution portions (theoriginal document conveying portion 2, the image reading portion 3, theoperation panel 1, the printing portion 4, and the communication portion7), the control portion 5 makes the output portion (operation panel 1)output a message that an error has occurred and halts execution of alljobs. Furthermore, upon determining, as a result of performing theself-diagnosis process in the emergency mode, that any of the jobexecution portions does not operate properly, the control portion 5prevents a job using the portion that does not operate properly frombeing executed and has an executable job executed by using any other ofthe job execution portions that operates properly.

By this configuration, in the emergency mode, a function (job) using aportion in which a malfunction has occurred due to an earthquake isisolated, and tentatively, the malfunction is left unattended(“isolation of a malfunction”). Then, in an emergency of the occurrenceof an earthquake, it is made possible to use, among the functions of theimage forming apparatus (multi-functional peripheral 100), at least afunction available under present circumstances. Thus, in the emergencymode, even when an error has occurred in part of the functions, withoutrequesting a user to resolve the error, the image forming apparatus iskept in a state of being able to perform an executable job. On the otherhand, in a situation that is not acknowledged as an emergency, when aportion that does not operate properly is determined, the image formingapparatus can be kept in an unavailable state so as not to aggravate thedegree of a malfunction.

Furthermore, one of the job execution portions is the printing portion 4that performs printing. The printing portion 4 includes at least theconveying sensors S1 to S5 for checking whether or not paper sheetconveyance is performed appropriately. After switching to the emergencymode, the control portion 5 has printing performed based onpredetermined image data, and upon recognizing, based on an output ofeach of the conveying sensors S1 to S5, that a paper sheet on which theimage data has been printed has been conveyed without an error and thenejected to the outside of the apparatus, diagnoses that the printingportion 4 operates properly. Further, upon detecting, based on theoutput of each of the conveying sensors S1 to S5, an error of paperjamming with the paper sheet on which the image data has been printed,and when being unable to control the printing portion 4, the controlportion 5 diagnoses that the printing portion 4 does not operateproperly.

Immediately after the occurrence of a massive earthquake, some users maywant to print, without any delay, documents such as a payroll, materialsfor confirming safe conditions, or the like. Immediately after theoccurrence of a massive earthquake, there is a high possibility of usinga printing function of the image forming apparatus (multi-functionalperipheral 100). For this reason, upon the occurrence of an earthquakebeing detected, the control portion 5 diagnoses whether or not printingis properly executable. By this configuration, immediately after theoccurrence of an earthquake, a user can be notified promptly of whetheror not a job related to printing is executable.

Furthermore, as the predetermined image data, image data (shift checkingimage data 67) of the chart 8 for checking a color shift and apositional shift of an image to be printed on a paper sheet is used.After switching to the emergency mode, the printing portion 4 performsprinting of the chart 8. After switching to the emergency mode, theprinting portion 4 performs printing of the chart 8. By thisconfiguration, a user can visually check a printed document to determinewhether or not, as a result of an earthquake, an image has been printedat an appropriate position (whether or not a large shift has occurred).It is also possible to check whether or not image quality of the imageforming apparatus (multi-functional peripheral 100) has beendeteriorated.

Furthermore, the job execution portions includes the communicationportion 7. After switching to the emergency mode, the control portion 5makes the communication portion 7 perform data transmission/receptionto/from a predetermined communication partner, and when communicationwith the communication partner has been successfully achieved without anerror, diagnoses that the communication portion 7 operates properly.Further, when an error has occurred in communication between thecommunication portion 7 and the communication partner, and when beingunable to control the communication portion 7, the control portion 5diagnoses that the communication portion 7 does not operate properly.Immediately after the occurrence of a massive earthquake, some users maywant to transmit, from the image forming apparatus (multi-functionalperipheral 100), data for safety confirmation or data to make a currentsituation known to other places. Immediately after the occurrence of anearthquake, there is a high possibility of using a transmission(communication) function of the image forming apparatus. For thisreason, upon the occurrence of an earthquake being detected, the controlportion 5 diagnoses whether or not proper communication can be achieved.By this configuration, a user can be notified promptly of whether or nota job related to communication is executable.

Furthermore, after a lapse of the wait time since the detection portion(communication portion 7) has detected the occurrence of an earthquake,before executing the self-diagnosis process, the control portion 5performs the self-restart process of restarting software related tocontrol. By this configuration, it is possible to make the controlportion 5 diagnose whether or not the software starts up perfectlywithout any problem, whether or not communication with the portionscontrolled by the control portion 5 is achieved properly, whether or nota malfunction has occurred in the control portion 5, and which of theportions to be controlled is controllable/uncontrollable.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus (multi-functional peripheral100) includes the display portion 11 that displays information. Theoutput portion is composed of the printing portion 4, the communicationportion 7, and the display portion 11. With the plurality of portions(the display portion 11, the printing portion 4, and the communicationportion 7) included in the output portion, even when an earthquake hasoccurred, based on information outputted from any of the portions in theoutput portion, a user can recognize a status of the image formingapparatus after the occurrence of the earthquake.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: adetection portion for detecting occurrence of an earthquake; a pluralityof types of job execution portions that each execute a job; an outputportion that outputs information; and a control portion that controlsthe job execution portions, upon the detection portion detecting theoccurrence of an earthquake, switches a mode of the image formingapparatus from a normal mode to an emergency mode, after a lapse of apredetermined wait time since the switching to the emergency mode,executes a self-diagnosis process for checking whether or not the jobexecution portions operate properly, based on a result of theself-diagnosis process, determines an executable job and anon-executable job, and makes the output portion output informationindicating the executable job and the non-executable job.
 2. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the normal mode, upondetermining a portion that does not operate properly among the pluralityof job execution portions, the control portion makes the output portionoutput a message that an error has occurred and halts execution of alljobs, and upon determining, as a result of performing the self-diagnosisprocess in the emergency mode, a portion that does not operate properlyamong the plurality of job execution portions, the control portionprevents a job using the portion that does not operate properly frombeing executed and has the executable job executed by using any other ofthe job execution portions that operates properly.
 3. The image formingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job execution portionsinclude a printing portion that performs printing, the printing portionincludes at least a conveying sensor for checking whether or not papersheet conveyance is performed appropriately, and after the switching tothe emergency mode, the control portion has printing performed based onpredetermined image data, upon recognizing, based on an output of theconveying sensor, that a paper sheet on which the image data has beenprinted has been conveyed without an error and then ejected to anoutside of the apparatus, diagnoses that the printing portion operatesproperly, and upon detecting, based on the output of the conveyingsensor, an error of paper jamming with the paper sheet on which theimage data has been printed, or when being unable to control theprinting portion, diagnoses that the printing portion does not operateproperly.
 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, whereinas the image data, image data of a chart for checking a color shift anda positional shift of an image to be printed on a paper sheet is used,and after the switching to the emergency mode, the printing portionperforms printing of the chart.
 5. The image forming apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the job execution portions include a communicationportion that performs communication via a network or a cable, and afterthe switching to the emergency mode, the control portion makes thecommunication portion perform data transmission/reception to/from apredetermined communication partner, when communication with thecommunication partner has been successfully achieved without an error,diagnoses that the communication portion operates properly, and when anerror has occurred in communication between the communication portionand the communication partner, or when being unable to control thecommunication portion, diagnoses that the communication portion does notoperate properly.
 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,wherein after a lapse of the wait time since the detection portion hasdetected the occurrence of an earthquake, before executing theself-diagnosis process, the control portion performs a self-restartprocess of restarting software related to control.
 7. The image formingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job execution portionsinclude an image reading portion that reads an original document togenerate image data, the image reading portion includes a whitereference plate used for a shading correction, a lamp, an image sensor,and an A/D conversion portion that performs conversion of an analogoutput of the image sensor, and when all pixels of image data of linesobtained by an operation of reading the white reference plate arebrighter than a threshold value, the control portion diagnoses that theimage reading portion operates properly, and when the image data of thewhite reference plate includes one or more pixels of a same color as thethreshold value or a color deeper than the threshold value, the controlportion diagnoses that the image reading portion does not operateproperly.
 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe job execution portions include a printing portion that performsprinting, a communication portion that performs communication via anetwork or a cable, and an image reading portion that reads an originaldocument to generate image data, when it is successfully diagnosed thatthe printing portion and the communication portion operate properly, thecontrol portion judges that a print job is executable, and when it isdiagnosed that either the printing portion or the communication portiondoes not operate properly, the control portion judges that the printingjob is non-executable, when it is successfully diagnosed that theprinting portion and the image reading portion operate properly, thecontrol portion judges that a copy job is executable, and when it isdiagnosed that either the printing portion or the image reading portiondoes not operate properly, the control portion judges that the copy jobis non-executable, and when it is successfully diagnosed that the imagereading portion and the communication portion operate properly, thecontrol portion judges that a scan transmission job is executable, andwhen it is diagnosed that either the image reading portion or thecommunication portion does not operate properly, the control portionjudges that the scan transmission job is non-executable.
 9. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output portion iscomposed of a printing portion that performs printing, a communicationportion that performs communication via a network or a cable, and adisplay portion that displays information, and at least one of theprinting portion, the communication portion, and the display portionoutputs the information indicating the executable job and thenon-executable job.
 10. A method for controlling an image formingapparatus, comprising steps of: detecting occurrence of an earthquake;upon detecting the occurrence of an earthquake, switching a mode of theimage forming apparatus from a normal mode to an emergency mode; after alapse of a predetermined wait time since the switching to the emergencymode, executing a self-diagnosis process for checking whether or noteach of a plurality of types of job execution portions that each executea job operates properly; based on a result of the self-diagnosesprocess, determining an executable job and a non-executable job, andoutputting information indicating the executable job and thenon-executable job.